Automatic locking and releasing means for switch throws



Dec. 28, 1926. 1,612,754

H. THOMAS AUTOMATIC LOCKING AND RELEASiNG MEANS FOR SWITCH THROWS FiledJuly 14, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fl Th0? 0S m'v MJIMM WITNESS ATTORNEYDec. 28,1926. 1,612,754.

I H. THOMAS AUTOMATIC DOCKING AND RELEASING MEANS FOR SWITCH THROWSFiled July 14. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- WITNESS:

Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

' HARRY THOMAS, F OAKDALE, TENNESSEE.

AUTOMATIC LOCKING AND RELEASING MEANS FOR SWITCH THROWS.

Application filed July 14, 1926. Serial No. 122,461.

The object of this invention is to provide a switch throwing deviceincluding a lever and switch handle, with locking means automaticallyengaged when the lever is fully thrown, and released upon the initialmovement of the handle when the position of the switch is to be changed.

A further object is to provide a simple construction which cannot,except under the .2 most extreme conditions get out of working order,and a device in which only a single movement ofthe switch handle isrequired for producing the entire operation, even when the switch hasbeen looked under strain due to the sticking of the switch point, orother causes.

With the foregoing and other objectsin view, the invention consists in,the novel construction and arrangement of elements 2 described,illustrated and claimed, it being understood that modifications may bemade within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

In the drawings forming part of this application, V

Figure 1 is a view of the construction in side elevation.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main portion of One of the switchstands. 9 Figure 3 is a vertical section thru one of the switch stands,with a pivoted trigger mounted therein.

Figure i is a perspective view of the lever to be connected directlywith the switch mechanism.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the switch handle, the offset end ofwhich passes thru the block of Figure 6, and thru the forked portions ofthe lever of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the block to be mounted in the fork ofFigure 4, the block being proportioned for efiecting locking connectionwith either of the triggers shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of I the triggers to be mountedrespectively in the switch stand, one of which is shown in Figure 2 andthe other of which appears in Figure 3, the latter having the lower edgeof the opening beveled reversely, with reference to the device of Figure2.-

The switch stands 10 and 11 are carried by base 12, and the switchoperating lever 13 connects with rod 14, and is movable angularly withreference to mounting element 15.

The switch stands are each provided with an opening such as 16, and thelower edge portlons oi these opemngs, are beveled as shown at 17 and717,the bevels being in reverse relation. The triggers of Figures 7 and 8are mounted in the switch stands 10 and 11, beingpivoted by means ofrods or bolts 18, and the triggers are each provided with shoulders asis indicated at 19 for contact with an adjacent surface, that is withthe outer surface of the switch stand or stands, so that 'movement ofthe triggers under gravity is limited, and the locking elements carriedthereby are properly positioned by the automatic return of said lookingelements to normal position. The triggers or looking elements,designated 21 and 22 are provided with projecting lugs, the doubletrigger 21 including two lugs 23, and the trigger 22 including one lug24 in the central. portion of one tace,the lugs 23 of element 21 beingspaced as illustrated in Figure 7.

The switch lever 13 to be connected directly with the switch mechanismincludes a head or the like 25, and prongs 26, the complete device atthe endot element 13 constituting a fork, and the portions 26 being cutaway at 26 to fit over the shoulders 27 of the switch stands. The prongs26 are apertured transversely as indicated at 28, and the ofiset end ofswitch handle 80 passes thru apertures 28 and thru the block 31 ofFigure 6.

The oiiset end of handle 30, is square in cross section at the point 38,and this portion fits the squarebore 3d of Figure 6, the block 31 beingmounted between the prongs 26, and having limited movement withreference to switch lever 13, as indicated in full line and dotted lineposition in Figure 1. This movement is limited when edge 31 engages thehead 25, upon movement in one direction, or when bevel surface 31engages the head 25, upon movement in the other direction, the playpermitted, determines the position of the block 31 with reference to thetrigger, it being observed inFigure 1 that when handle is in full lineposition, the trigger at the right is engaged, and the switch lever 13and the switch control thereby, but not shown, is securely retained'inthe desired position. 1

Upon lifting handle 30 to the dotted line positionof Figure 1, theblock'31 is released from the trigger which it has justengaged,

and this initial movement of the handle 30 is continued in the samedirection, for the purpose of lifting and throwing switch arm 13 Whenthe portion 31 of the block 31 comes into engagement with head 25.

The particular form of the block of F igure 6 is important, this blockincluding the grooved portion 37, and the tongue or lug 38 of angularform and positioned intermediate of the portions 39 and 39 formed by themiddle groove 37. The triggers of Figures 7 and 8 are formedrespectively with lugs 25, spaced as shown, and with a central lug 24,so that the block of Figure 6 first engages and then throws out eithertrigger, so that the handle may pass to final position as shown in fulllines in Figure 1. The central lug 3-8 now engages and is locked by thetrigger 22 and especially the central lug 24 thereof. In the otherposition of the switch lever and handle, the spaced lugs 23 are engagedby the spaced portions 39 and 39 of block 31, so that the character ofthe locking arrangement is similar on opposite sides, that is inopposite positions of the switch handle, but the elements which producethe locking contact difier in the respect indicated, and because of thecooperation between the block of Figure 5, with the trigger of Figure 7or with the trigger of Figure 8, as the case may be. When throw'ng theswitch lever and handle, the prongs of the fork pass on opposite sidesof the switch stands and act as guiding devices, and the side walls ofthe grooved portion of the block also act as guiding elements whenpassing the pivoted block engaging device carrying a central lug ortongue.

Having described the invention what is claimed is '1. In a device of theclass described, a switch lever and a handle therefor movable angularlywith reference to the lever, a block movable angularly by the handle,switch stands and pivoted block retaining devices mounted 011 thestands, the retaining devices including lugs adapted to project into thepath of the block, and the lugs on oppositely located retaining devicesbeing out of alinement, for engagement with diiferent portions of theblock, preventing reverse movement of the lever prior to the release ofthe block by angular movement of thehandle.

In a device of the class described, a switch lever and a handle thereformovable angularly with reference to the lever, a block movable angularlyby the handle, one surface of said block being grooved toward one end,and the block including a tongue projecting from the surface thereof inapproximate alinement with the groove for ei'igage ment respectivelywith the tongue and the grooved portions of the block preventing reversemovement of the lever prior to the release of the block by angularmovement of the handle.

3. In a device of the class described, a switch lever and a handletherefor movable angularly with reference to the lever, a block movableangularly by the handle, means for limiting the movement of the block,switch stands and pivoted block retaining devices mounted on the stands,said devices being movable by gravity towards each other and includinglugs movable into the path of the block after the lever is throvm' bythe handle, said handle moving the block upon the initial operationthereof out of the path of the pivoted retaining devices and thereafterthrowing the lever by continued movement in the same direction, saidblock including projecting elements positioned to engage eitherretaining device to the exclusion of the other.

4-. In a device of the class described, switch lever and a handletherefor movable angularly with reference to the lever, a block movableangularly by the handle, switch stands and pivoted block retainingdevices mounted on the stands, said block and block retaining devicesincluding members causing the block to effect engagement at one endportion of the block with onset the retaining devices, and at the otherend portion of the block with the other retaining device.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

HARRY THOMAS.

